UNC sits at 4-2 overall and 2-1 in ACC play halfway through the 2026 football season. The Tar Heels have already matched their win total from a season ago and now have a very reasonable path to a bowl berth in Bill Belichick’s second year.
Here are my midseason grades for each Carolina position group:
Quarterback: C-
North Carolina quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. (9) runs with the ball while pursued by Clemson defensive end Will Heldt (13) in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
If you were watching UNC’s game at Pitt, you likely heard a hot mic moment from ESPN’s Tom Hart in which he described a recent meal as “the Billy Edwards, Jr. of hotel breakfasts.” We didn’t catch the front end of that metaphor, but it likely wasn’t a kind one to Edwards. The veteran quarterback has been relatively steady, if unspectacular through six games: 94-of-157 for 1,260 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions. The completion percentage of 59.87% is well below Edwards’ 2024 mark of 65% at Maryland, which is the only time he’s started a full season. There’s no doubt that UNC’s offense has improved from 2025 to 2026, but the Tar Heels still sit near the bottom of the ACC: 14th out of 17 teams in passing offense and dead last in total offense. Edwards also shoulders much of the blame for UNC’s late collapse at Clemson, completing just 13 of 30 passes for a season-low 135 yards.
Running backs: C+
North Carolina’s Demon June (0) carries the ball past Duke’s Kendall Johnson (42) for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
The Tar Heels are still searching for a dynamic playmaker at the running back position, which is something they haven’t had since Omarion Hampton left for the NFL. The trio of Demon June, Ben Hall and Jaylen McGill have all toted the rock and had their moments in 2026, but none have shown the ability to be a true bell-cow back. One could even say UNC stayed competitive against Notre Dame and won at Pitt in spite of its rushing attack, which combined for just 97 yards on 48 carries in those two games. Against the Panthers, Tar Heel runners averaged fewer than one yard per rush. Carolina got back to business at Duke the next week (39 carries for 135 yards and 2 touchdowns), but inconsistency has been the name of the game on the ground so far.
Wide receivers: C
North Carolina’s Jordan Shipp (1) makes a touchdown catch ahead of Duke’s Andrew Pellicciotta (35) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Were this just a Jordan Shipp grade, it might be a little higher. Shipp has been steady as they come in 2026, hauling in at least five catches in each of UNC’s games against FBS opponents. He recorded his first collegiate 100-yard game against Notre Dame and reeled in his first touchdown of the season last Saturday against Duke, giving him 33 total catches this fall. It’s hard to say that the Tar Heels have a true WR2 outside of Shipp, though. Trech Kekahuna is the next-most-productive receiver, but he only has 10 catches and has yet to score a touchdown. Lehigh transfer Mason Humphrey has just three catches, and freshman C.J. Sadler has shown flashes but still hasn’t gotten the ball consistently. The Tar Heels should pray Shipp doesn’t miss any time in the remaining six games — though he is listed as questionable for Carolina’s game against Syracuse Saturday.
Tight ends: A
North Carolina tight end Jelani Thurman celebrates after a touchdown reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
UNC’s best offensive position group so far in 2026, and I don’t think it’s particularly close. You can argue that Jelani Thurman and Shamar Easter have made the three biggest offensive plays of the season for the Tar Heels: Thurman’s catch and run vs. TCU which sealed the season-opening win, Easter’s long go-ahead touchdown at Pitt and Thurman’s 4th down conversion at Duke. Those two have combined for 33 catches (26 by Thurman), 451 yards and six touchdowns through six games, giving Bill Belichick the playmaking tight end duo he was sorely missing last year. Thurman and Easter complement each other well: while Thurman is more of a physical bruiser, Easter has the speed to run away from most defenders (see: his touchdown at Pitt).
Offensive line: B-
North Carolina offensive lineman Aidan Banfield (68) plays against Clemson in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
UNC’s offensive line is probably average to below average, but that’s a marked improvement from a very poor 2025. It starts with health: the Tar Heels have had their share of injuries, but very few of them have affected the offensive line. Christo Kelly, Shaq McRoy, Aidan Banfield and Andrew Threatt have played in all six games, with Jordan Hall being the only starter to miss time. Freshman Cristian Alvarez has admirably filled in the void. UNC has still allowed its fair share of sacks – 13 in six games – but the consistent availability of the starters has certainly been encouraging.
Defensive line: B+
Pittsburgh quarterback Holden Geriner is sacked by North Carolina defensive lineman Xavier Lewis and linebacker Timir Hickman-Collins during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
One of the more pleasant surprises in UNC’s season so far has been the playmaking ability along the defensive line. The Associated Press named sophomore tackle Xavier Lewis a first team midseason All-American, and it’s hard to argue with these credentials: 30 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Leroy Jackson has continued to be productive with 37 total tackles, and Penn State transfer Jaylen Harvey has shown some remarkable athleticism from his edge rusher position. If Melkart Abou-Jaoude can continue to heal up from a hand injury which has clearly limited him this season, this group could have an even better second half.
Linebacker: B
Image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jeffrey A. Camarati
Very quietly, UNC’s starting linebacker duo of Derek McDonald and Peyton Seelmann have ascended into the No. 1 and No. 3 spots in the ACC in total tackles. McDonald has recorded at least 10 total tackles in four games, and Seelmann amassed 16 at Duke on his way to being named ACC Linebacker of the Week. Jonathan Agumadu has been a solid third option with 27 total tackles. McDonald and Seelmann aren’t highly-touted NFL prospects and neither have had a signature moment this season, but they’ve provided the steadiness Belichick looked for when replacing both of his starting linebackers from last season.
Defensive backs: C+
Jaiden Patterson makes a tackle vs. Notre Dame on Saturday, October 3, 2026. (Photo via UNC Athletic Communications.)
Again, if this were solely a Greg Smith grade, it would be much higher. Smith has emerged as a bona fide NFL prospect in his redshirt sophomore season, and his most recent outing at Duke may have been his best: 10 total tackles (including two at the goal line to thwart a Blue Devil drive) and a season-high two pass breakups. Pro Football Focus grades Smith as the best safety in all of college football. Cornerback Jaiden Patterson is a nice complement to Smith with five pass breakups from his cornerback position, but the depth chart thins out after that. With injuries to Kaleb Cost, Peyton Waters and Tre Miller, reserves like Kenton Dopson and Coleman Bryson have had to step into the fray. Both have been unsteady, with Dopson redeeming himself slightly with the game-sealing interception at Duke. Aside from Smith and Patterson, UNC is vulnerable in the secondary.
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
Who’s Excelling? What Could Improve? Positional Midseason Grades for UNC Football. Chapelboro.com.
Hence then, the article about who s excelling what could improve positional midseason grades for unc football was published today ( ) and is available on chapelboro ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Who’s Excelling? What Could Improve? Positional Midseason Grades for UNC Football. )
Also on site :
- Netflix, Bengali Streamer Hoichoi Partner to Bring Series to Hindi, Tamil and Telugu Audiences
- ‘Nobody Wants This’ Season 3 Review: Kristen Bell and Adam Brody’s Netflix Romance Levels Up but Can’t Ditch Old Habits
- Le Creuset’s ‘Beautiful and Versatile’ Cocotte Baking Dish Makes a ‘Great Gift’ and Is Just $22 Ahead of the Holidays